Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto invites all residents to join in celebrating the distinctive heritage of our hometown, as the Town of Oyster Bay commemorates its 350th anniversary.

"In 1653, the Wright, Mayo, Leverich Land Purchase signaled the beginning of the history of the Town of Oyster Bay. As we mark this historic milestone, we salute the citizens who are the heart and soul of Oyster Bay. At 350 years old, this town is stronger than ever, and we are celebrating our legacy of pride and achievement," commented Venditto. "Thanks to a solid tradition of good government, today the Town of Oyster Bay is in excellent financial shape, with an A1 credit rating - one of the best a town can receive from Wall Street. And with the best services, parks, and beaches, our quality of life is among the highest in the world. Indeed, our town is one of the most desirable places to live, raise a family, and watch our children and grandchildren grow, as shown by the excellent property values in all of our communities."

Oyster Bay has a remarkable history, from its pivotal role in the American Revolution, to being the home and final resting place of our nation's 26th President Theodore Roosevelt, to being the birthplace of Grumman's Lunar Module, the first spacecraft to land on the moon.

"While the Town of Oyster Bay's most famous landmark is Sagamore Hill, the summer home of Theodore Roosevelt, a treasure trove of historic sites may be seen in communities throughout the township," said Supervisor Venditto. "From shore to shore, the Town of Oyster Bay is home to many historic sites, including the Revolutionary War-era Raynham Hall in Oyster Bay, the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, the Gregory Museum in Hicksville, the Quaker Meeting House in Farmingdale, and Grace Church in Massapequa, just to name a few."

Supervisor Venditto and the town board kicked off the 350th anniversary year by adopting a proclamation commemorating the milestone, during the Jan. 7 town board meeting.

To promote an appreciation of the Town of Oyster Bay's heritage, the town is planning a variety of 350th Anniversary activities, including:

* A Fourth of July-350th Anniversary Parade in Oyster Bay Hamlet, which will include marching groups from throughout the township

* A free summer concert entitled "A Musical Salute to the Town of Oyster Bay's 350th Anniversary and Fireworks Display," featuring a 50-piece orchestra at John J. Burns Park in Massapequa

* And a series of lectures and historic tours throughout the town in the fall.

In addition, the Town's Bicentennial Historical Commission, led by Town Historian Dorothy McGee, has invited students in school districts across the township to participate in a poster/writing contest focusing on the town's history. Winners of that contest will be announced in April and honored at the Fourth of July-350th Anniversary Parade.

The commission is also planning Oyster Bay Day at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, featuring a nostalgic Old Fashioned Baseball Game, for late July.

Community organizations are being encouraged to hold their own commemorative events as well, and some already have some exciting plans in the works. For example, the Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society has planned an enriching and informative lecture for March 9, at 2 p.m., at the Farmingdale Public Library. The talk, entitled, "Early Settlement of Oyster Bay," will be led by historian and author John Hammond.

In addition, the Hicksville Historical Society is planning a gala Costume Ball and Dinner for Oct, 9 at Milleridge Cottage in Jericho to celebrate the town's 350th Anniversary.

"On behalf of the Town Board and the entire town, I invite you to become a part of the many exciting anniversary activities taking place throughout the year, as we celebrate 350 years of history, service and achievement," the supervisor concluded.

Updates on the Town of Oyster Bay anniversary activities will be available during the spring and summer on the town's website: www.oysterbaytown.com. For further information, call 624-6380.